This Fearless Girl (St. Clary's University #2) - E. M. Moore Page 0,32
return my stare to the other rich fuckers I recognize from that day on my property, but Wyatt’s retort brings me back. “Rough sex.” He grins at the girl, and I choke back a laugh.
That is, I do until her narrowed eyes fix on me. She sniffs, a disgusted frown souring her face.
“Ah, here we are,” Lance Jacobs speaks up. I’d know his pompous voice anywhere. Nothing sets me on edge faster than he does. “My son coming to see his old man in his injured state.”
Stone approaches his father, who has his arm in a sling underneath his gray suit coat. “How are you feeling?” Stone asks with about as much enthusiasm as someone approaching a bereaved family member at a wake.
“Better,” Lance quips, lips tilting up like he has the finest son in the world.
I don’t understand a lot of the pretense here. Or the underlayment of previously established relationships.
“Doesn’t Marissa look so beautiful today, son?”
Stone’s jaw ticks for a moment before he turns on the charm. “She does.”
His father grins at him, but I see the strain of it. He moves his attention to the pair next to me. “Wyatt and Lucas, great to see you as always.”
At this point, everyone else’s attention is on me. I’m the only one who hasn’t been introduced to everyone. There are several women here, too, that must be the wives of the old, rich fuckers. I wonder if they have any idea what their husbands are up to?
“Guests, I’d like to introduce you to Dakota Wilder.”
There’s a gasp somewhere in the room, and it makes my face heat. Two of the women who are sitting on a couch together lean in and whisper to one another.
“Charming dress, Dakota,” Lance drawls, perusing my outfit with a sneer.
I wonder if it’s because he was expecting me to show up in overalls? “Thank you. Your son bought it for me.”
The room stops. I swear you could hear a pin drop.
Lance retains his easy smile which is unnerving. “Well, wasn’t that nice of him? He’s always had a generous spirit in helping the needy.”
Just like that, the world is spun back into rotation and the people I’m surrounded by continue talking as if everything is right in the world.
I hate him.
Rissa snickers behind her hand, and I hate her, too. I was already predisposed to it, but I’ve made up my mind now.
I wish I was like the heroines in the books I read. Some of them come up with the snappiest comebacks right off the bat. I would give anything to have an author narrating my life right now and giving me the power of a kickass, sarcastic remark to put Lance in his place. Alas, I’m just me. Fury twists my insides, but I bear it with a smile.
Shortly afterward, we break for lunch and are taken into a pretty room with expensive looking place settings already waiting for us. I follow Lucas to wherever he’s going, but one of the wives calls out my name. “Looks like you’re sitting next to me, dear.”
There are motherfucking assigned seats. At a luncheon.
Holy hell.
“Wonderful,” I grumble as I make my way over to the opposite end of the table of where Wyatt, Lucas, and Stone are sitting. Stone is, of course, sitting right next to Marissa. Wyatt and Lucas are next to him, giving me apologetic smiles. Stone is way too preoccupied with the girl on his fucking hip to even notice me.
I try to tell myself that it shouldn’t bother me, but fuck that. Yes, I hate him. But, also yes, there’s something there. As soon as we get out of here, Stone’s getting a piece of my mind.
The small talk continues as lunch is served. I have to watch Lucas to make sure I know which fucking utensil to use for which part of the meal. First, there’s a salad. Then, there’s an appetizer. Then, the actual meal.
The ladies next to me don’t bother talking to me until we’re well into the main dish. “Dakota,” one of them says, “I believe I know your name, and since you’ve shown up with the three boys, I’m going to guess that you’re helping the Jacobses with the treasure?”
My face flames, and I grip my fork like I’d shove it in Lance Jacobs’ eye if I could. Lance saves me the trouble of answering though. “Yes, Dakota is a long-time treasure hunter herself.”
One of the women gasps. “A treasure hunter? Oh dear. That sounds dangerous.